NOISE POLLUTION AND ITS EFFECT ON WORKERS, PATIENTS, AND VISITORS IN SOME HOSPITALS AT DOHUK GOVERNORATE

Abstract

High levels of noise may affect on patient care ,medical care workers and activity of medical educations .Three hospitals at Dohuk Governorate, two of them public hospitals (Zakho general hospital and Azady hospital) with one Private hospital (Jiyan hospital) were chosen as a sample for this study. This study aimed to identify noise levels of pollution, frequency and amplitude in these hospitals and study the effects of noise pollution on the physiological and psychological reactions and discomfort response of medical care staff, patients, workers and visitors in these hospitals. Sound levels were recorded in three hospitals using an electronically sound level meter. The results show that the mean of the high levels of noise and frequency in Zakho General hospital are 64.683dBA and 1.749×10³ Hz  in waiting hall in the morning and the low level are 50.033dBA and 1.011×10³Hz in the medical ward for female in the evening while in Azadi hospital  are 59.811dB(A) and 1.635×10³ Hz in nurse station room in the  morning and the lowest are 50.838dBA and 0.696×10³ Hz in the medical ward for male in the evening and in Jiyan  hospital are 62.966dB(A) and 1.492×10³ Hz in reception in the evening and the lowest are 49.594dBA and 0.770×10³ Hz in doctors room at morning. The noise pollution in Dohuk Governate greatly exceeded the world Health Organization (WHO) 30-40 dB (A) standard levels for hospitals. It concludes that the major source of noise inside and outside the wards were chats of visitors or patient’s family members , patients moaning or crying, ward cleaning staff, building structure…..etc.